Eyeglass or



(No Model.)

J. J. MINSTER. EYEGLASS 0R SPEGTAOLE FRAME.

No. 369,544. Patented Sept. 6, 1887.

N. PETERS, Phcla kilhogfiphen Wa shinghn. D c.

Unirnn STATES JACOB J. MINSTER, OF ATHENS, GEORGIA.

EYEGLASS OR SPECTAC LE FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,54 datedSeptember 6, 1887.

Application filed May 18, 1887. Serial No. 238, 673. (No model.)

' fication.

This invention relates, generally, to spectaole or eyeglass frames; and its object is, among other things, to provide means whereby an eyeglassframe may be adapted to connect with temple-pieces, so that it may be used as a spectacle-frame.

The present invention therefore consists in a novel structure, hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of an eyeglass-frame. Fig. 2 is an edge or plan view thereof, showing the templepieces connected thereto. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of the frame, showing one of the joints. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same, having a temple-piece in position. Fig. 5 is a similar View illustrating the confining-plate swung to one side. Fig. 6 is an end view thereof, the temple-piece being removed. Fig. 7 is a plan and edge View of the joint end of the templepiece. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the frame closed, the temple-pieces being removed; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged View of the hinged joint of the spring bridge-piece.

The eyeglass-frame A, except in the features hereinafter set forth, may be of any of the well-known forms provided with nose-bearing pieces 10 and a bow-spring, B.

The joints 12 of the eye-pieces a in the improved structure are extended, as best shown in Fig. 3, to providea seat, 19, for the knuckle 14 of a temple-piece, 0, said joints 12 bearing a confining-plate, 9, whereby to hold the tempie-piece O to its seat.

As herein shown, the seat 19 is formed by reeessing the outer portion of thejoint of the eye-pieces, so as to form two cars, 8, each of which is slotted at 7, Fig. 5,. to receive pivots 6, projecting from the opposite sides of the knuckle 1101- the temple-piece, Fig. 7. This knuckle is of a size adapted to fit within the said seat 19, and is provided with a flanged back, 11, the end of which is adapted to strike against a suitably-shaped shoulder, 5, formed on the joint 12 in rear of the slots 7, thus limiting the opening movement of the temple-piece in a manner well known.

The confining-plate 9 is preferably a U- shaped plate straddling the joint 12, and pivoted thereto by aset-screw or other pivot, 18, which also serves to secure the joint, as will be readily understood. This confining-plate is adapted to overlie the pivots of the templepiece, as in Fig. 4, and its connection portion, or bottom of the U, extending around its flanged back 11, and thus prevent its pivots from becoming disengaged from the slots 7, as

will be seen, the said confining-plate being 6 also provided with stops 4, which abut against the side of the eyeglass-frame and limit the closed position of said plate, from which it will be seen that when it is desired to remove the temple-pieces C, so as to transpose a pair of 7c spectacles into an eyeglass, it will be simply necessary to swing the confining-plate 9 upon its pivot, as shown in Fig. 5, when the pivots 6 of the temple-piece may be readily removed from the slots 7, when the confining-plate may be returned to its normal position, as in Fig. 3.

It is obvious that either one of the confining-plates may be provided with a hand-piece or ring, D, for'grasping the frame when used as an eyeglass; and one of the joints 12 may The spring bridge-piece B, insteadof being fixedly connected to each cye'piecefls pivoted thereto, as best seen in Fig. 9, wherein it will be seen that the end of the spring-piece is provided with a bifurcated tongue-piece, l5, em-

bracing a knuckle, 16, formed on the side of 0 the eyepiece, a pin, 17, connecting the tonguepiece and knuckle together, the construction being such that when the eye-pieces a are spread apart thespring-piece will abut against ashoulder on each of the knuckles 16, and 5 hence will be in condition to cause the nose bearing-pieces 10 to properly embrace the nose,

and when disengaged therefrom all tension upon the bridge-piece is removed. In the present structure the pivots of the bridge-piece are so positioned on the eye-pieces with respect to the nose bearing-pieces and to the eye-pieces that when the frame is closed, asin Fig. 8, the

ends 18 of the spring bridge-piece B will bear against the edges of the eye-pieces, so as to stop the loose pivotal movement of the springpiece and cause it to again exert a slight spring-tension, so that when the pin 3and ear 2 are engaged the tendency will be to keep them in engagement-an important function.

While I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise construction shown, the structure illustrated will be found to be effective for the purposes hereinbefore fully set forth.

I am aware that a bowed or curved frame having bows or temple-pieces permanentlyattached thereto and being adapted to receive and hold an ordinary pair of eyeglasses is old; but I believe that I am the first to have provided an eyeglass-frame with separate easilyrernovable temple-pieces.

I claim- 1. An eyeglass or spectacle frame provided with seats, in combination with separate detachable temple-pieces adapted to be inserted into or removed from said seats, substantially as set forth.

2. An eyeglass or spectacle frame provided with seats adapted to receive separate removable temple-pieces and confiningplates for confining the temple-pieces to their seats, substantially as described.

3. An eyeglass-frame provided with a spring bridge-piece and having seats for templepieces, removable temple-pieces, and pivoted confining-plates, substantially as described.

4. An eyeglass-frame the joints whereof are provided with seats for temple-pieces, confining-plates pivoted to said joints,and removable temple-pieces, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with an eye-piece pro- 0 vided witha joint, a recess, and slots, as 7, of a pivoted confining-plate and a removable temple-piece having pivots for engagement with said slots, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with an eye-piece provided with a joint having a recess and slots, as 7, of a confining-plate pivoted to said joint, and a removable temple-piece. having pivots for engagement with said slots, substantially as described.

7. The combination of eye pieces and a spring bridgepiece loosely pivoted thereto and having front bearing-stops, 18, for engagement with the edge of the eyepieces when the latter are closed, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACOB J. MINSTER.

Witnesses:

J. A. BENEDICT, L. SOHEVENELL. 

